James Reginald Joseph "Jim" Pellerin

FAIRFIELD -- James "Jim" Reginald Joseph Pellerin, 62, lifelong resident of Fairfield, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, after a brave and courageous two-year battle with a glial cell blastoma brain tumor.

He was born on Feb. 10, 1947, in Waterville, to Frank and Yvonne (Bureau) Pellerin.

Jim is survived by his wife Peggy (Shibles), with whom he shared 37 years of a loving marriage; son Jason and his wife, Melanie (Ward), of Albion; Kyle and his wife, Jen (Kelley), of Waterville; daughter Danielle Boutin and her husband, Damien, of Fairfield; and son Alex of South Boston, Mass.; grandsons Ryan, Seth, Connor and Trevor Pellerin; granddaughters Taylor and Addison Pellerin and Elizabeth Boutin; brother Richard and his wife, Betty, of Waterville; brother Roger and his wife, Jeanne, of Freeville, N.Y.; sister Nancy and her husband, Herb Foster, of Waterville; sister-in-laws Kay Boucher of Fairfield and Ellie Pellerin of Hampden; and many of cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father, and brothers Ronald and Norman.

Jim grew up on the Pellerin Dairy Farm in Fairfield Center, where his work ethic and motto "to always do his best" was first instilled. After graduating from Lawrence High School in 1965, Jim went on to attend the University of Maine, where he received an associate's degree in animal medical technology in 1968. He then went on to Unity College, where he received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and biology. He was active throughout his college career in soccer, the TKE Fraternity and men's basketball.

On Aug. 20, 1971, he married his wife and best friend, Peggy, at Sacred Heart Church in Waterville. He also began his career with Clark & Company (now Bell Simons), a wholesale heating, air conditioning and refrigeration business, in 1971, where he worked until December 2008. During his 37 loyal years of employment, Jim became the manager of 16 stores throughout New England. He had a very special bond with those that he worked with in the Waterville office and all of his store managers.

Jim gave a lot of his love and time to his family, which, in turn, included the local community. He began his lifetime of volunteerism in 1974 as a football coach in the Fairfield Police Athletic League. He coached for 22 years, which included not only coaching football teams, but basketball, girl's soccer and softball as well. Jim served as president, vice president and treasurer of the PAL Football Coaches Association throughout this time. In 1996, he also played an instrumental role in the building of Donahue Fields, installation of the lights and building of the concession stand at the McGee Complex as part of the PAL Football program.

In 1977, Jim and his wife built their home in Fairfield Center, where they raised their four children. He was a loving and caring father, who taught his children a love of family and of God. He actively participated in his children's lives, and he could always be seen at his children's sporting and after- school events. He took great joy in following his son Alex's football career at Bowdoin College throughout the northeast.

He was involved in his church, Immaculate Heart of Mary, by being a member of the parish council, a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, a lector and a eucharistic minister. In 2000, when his daughter Danielle was involved in Maine Youth Ministry, Jim played an active role in helping Danielle and nine other Maine teens raise the necessary funds to make the trip to the Vatican as part of World Youth Day.

In 1997, Jim also undertook the endeavor of replacing and redesigning the lights at Keyes Field and the restructure of the tower at Peter Cooper Stadium. In 2000, he became a member of the "Bulldog Chain-Gang" and enjoyed his time on the sideline through the 2008 fall football season.

After the 9/11 tragedy, Jim felt he needed to offer his time up more for the community and ran for a seat on the Fairfield Town Council in November of 2001. He served his town well with his fair, common-sense approach and wisdom for three years.

Among his many awards that he received for his efforts throughout the years, he was honored with the 2000 Lawrence High School Alumni Association Bulldog Award and the 2007 Lawrence Spirit of Football Award.

Jim loved the outdoors and nature in almost a reverent way. He so enjoyed his vegetable garden as it was his "sanctuary" as he used to put it. His grandson Connor loved to garden with his Grampy Jim. Connor had a great teacher in his grandfather, and will continue to plant what will always be "Grampy Jim's Garden." Jim's care for nature extended past the garden to all living creatures great and small. If the care shown to all of God's creatures shows the true heart of a man, then it can be easily said that Jim had a huge, caring heart.

"Bampa," "Gampie," "Grampy" Jim enjoyed and loved his grandchildren very much. During his illness, his grandchildren always brought a wide smile to his face and joy to his heart. As their grandfather was truly a gift to his grandchildren, Ryan, Seth, Connor, Taylor, Addison, Elizabeth and Trevor were a gift to their grandfather.

The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks and extreme gratitude to the doctors and medical staff at Tufts New England Medical Center of Boston, as well as to Jim's doctor and friend Dr. Kamlesh Bajpai.

Family and friends may attend calling hours from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, March 2, at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., in Fairfield. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to do so may make donations in his memory to Fairfield P.A.L. or make donations to the James Pellerin Scholarship, c/o Lawrence High School, 9 School St., Fairfield, ME 04937, attn: Brenda Thomas.

For directions or to send a condolence visit www.lawrybrothers.com

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 107 Main St., Fairfield; (800) 660-2111.